I’m so touched by your comment, esp. about being scared you’ll stand out (i.e. as not being English). I don’t know your nationality, but I’m an American, and when I moved here with my English husband, I actually thought of I didn’t speak, I might ‘pass’ for English! (& I’m normally pretty chatty). I, too, was so worried about not standing out, about ‘fitting in’. I had no idea that a) there are TONS of Americans (and even more foreigners) b) tons of foreign students and c) it doesn’t matter! There is no norm, really, about fitting in: women of all ages are much more comfortable in their own skin, IN GENERAL, than in other countries: if your hair is curly, forget the curling irons. The people with the best ‘style’ are the ones with their own style, wearing what they love: what they feel happy in.

I can’t tell you how many times someone asked where I was from, I told them (NY) and they said ‘oh I’d love to live there! I’m planning to visit …’ and then go on to tell me their plans.

You will probably be at festivals – in fields, with tons of mud – and be kicking yourself that you didn’t bring your beloved rain boots. My suggestion is bring them, bring whatever else makes you smile & feel good about yourself, but try to pack as light as possible – it’s summer, after all – and then forget about all that, and focus on having a wonderful, magic adventure this summer!

Get in touch when you’re here!

Don’t mean to dampen the festive spirit but just to advise you that it’s either St.Patricks Day or St. Paddy’s Day, NEVER St.Patty’s Day!! Some of us find it a little insulting, not to mention Patty is a girls name!!

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh!!!
xxx

~*Irish*Girl*~

Bri: those last three posts, Niamh’s, Emily’s about the umbrellas, and Stephs, are so perfect. I’m amazed at how trends are different than in the states but don’t worry too much: bring what you have, what you like – definitely bright colours, why not, esp if you’re happy in them. One thing I’ve noticed here in London, and it’s probably no different at universities, is that the most important thing stylistically is BE YOURSELF and be true to yourself. People wear the most ridiculous stuff – Great Britain is the home of the English Eccentric, remember! In fact, if there is one look that’s the most popular right now, I’d have to call it ‘English Eccentric’.

In East London – Spitalfields market area, and Camden – where a lot of style originates – I’m seeing people mixing up patterns.. anything goes. Just bring layers, which like everyone’s saying, you’ll need to peel on & off even thru the summer – and just have a great time. Just remember you will never be a student abroad, in that place, again. You can come back, but you won’t be in this particular experience. I don’t remember what I wore when I was there, but I”ll never forget the people I met, and places I went, the things I did.

I’m quite excited for all of you, actually!

If you’re going to Galway, then any style goes really as it’s quite an easy going studenty city! It does rain ALOT though so I’d suggest getting a good jacket to withstand the rain!! Also Galway is a very windy city so I wouldn’t suggest getting an umbrella as it’ll be broken/gone/floating down the Corrib in 5 mins flat.

Also remember (esp if you’re walking to college) that Ireland isn’t as cold as it is rainy, if you’re walking you’ll quickly warm up! What I suggest (after 4 years there!) is to wear a thin(ish) long sleeved t-shirt underneath a good warm thick jacket and to bring a cardigan and scarf in your bag for in the classroom/library.

You may want to bring gloves/hat and other wintery bits as we’re having the coldest weather in almost 30 years here which weather forcasters have no idea when it’s going to end.

And also TO ALL VISITING STUDENTS to stock up on vitamin C!! I’ve seen SO MANY foreign students thinking that it’s just the coldness that they need to tackle without realising that Ireland is quite damp which can causes so many colds! I remember meeting a group of french students who said that the biggest weather shock to them was the amount of colds they kept getting!!

But it’s not all bad, when we get sunny days in May and June, the country looks even more beautiful!!!

So Good Luck and Enjoy!!!
xx

To be honest, although ‘rain boots’ aka wellies sound like a good idea, I’d only bring them if you plan on going to festivals. Silly as it sounds, if you wear wellies as casual clothing, it’s generally thought of as a little weird. I noticed when I visited New York that so many people wore wellies and it was perfectly normal, and it would make sense to wear them here since it does rain more than you guys are probably used to, but it’s just not done. At least I’ve never experienced it being the done thing.

Other points to make:

1. Leggings are really really in right now and the majority of female students that I see walking around my town are wearing them. However, avoid the ‘I forgot my pants’ look, as you would normally, no matter how many girls you see doing it. We hate it too.

2. Leather jackets are very popular but I have noticed that this year duffle coats are the big thing, especially in bright colours! I have a purple one and it’s so cosy, plus the pockets are dead useful!

3. I agree with a lot that was said in the post, for example that scarves are a must, and that’s also true for wasit belts to cinch outfits. And nobody in my sixth form doesn’t own a slouchy knit hat; they’re like a body part or something!

4. In fact, the hat part also applies to Uggs or fake Uggs. If you really want to assume the definitive British or Irish – and thank you for acknowledging the political difference even though our climates are basically identical – student girl casual look, you will NEED a pair. However, I personally take that to be a reason NOT to wear them, so I totally agree with you if you want to break the mould ;-) although furry boots of some kind would be useful for keeping your feet toasty in the winter if you’re from somewhere warmer.

4. Bring a good pair of go-with-everything boots, a couple of pairs of ballet flats and some heels, and you will be fine. Converse are popular but funnily enough it’s mostly with guys. I have two pairs but haven’t worn them for a year or so – the American girl in my class, however, wears them almost every day! I don’t know; your choice.

5. Boyfriend blazers for class. Definitely.

6. Finally, remember that the clothes you wear depend totally on the region you are in. Scotland is very much colder and wetter than other parts of the UK and Ireland, especially on the east coast. Generally, the north of England is fairly cold (and yes, wet), whereas the midlands and Wales aren’t so bad and the south, especially the south west, are a lot warmer and dryer. Anywhere with hills will get snow and lots of it (there’s presently a foot of it in my garden! I’m in the midlands). With Ireland the same applies, it gets warmer towards the bottom! Stop me if this is general knowledge, but Colleen did mention the difference between regions so I thought I should go into some more detail to help out.

And hey – we both have Topshop and love it, so our styles can’t be that different, huh? But you also wanna check out Miss Selfridge and H&M. Zara is good too. Don’t know if you have those….?